I am forever trying to prove myself to you
offering blood and ink to earn your good graces
but still you sneer, not even bothering to call me ‘fool’, just
“you’re really stupid”
like I’m worth neither effort nor eloquence
and yet here I am, begging for your scraps
grateful for your disdainful gaze
and your cruel, cruel words

I’d let you cut me open with that bright knife of yours
if it was as close to your touch as I could get